Road Work Creates Back-To-School Traffic Jam In Seaman District

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A road project sparked slow going for drivers on the first day of school in the Seaman school district.

The intersection of NW 46th and Rochester Road, just south of Seaman High School, is closed for construction of a new roundabout. The section of Rochester from the intersection east to the Soldier Township Fire Station.

The construction work means all traffic to the high school is coming in from NW 50th Street. Many drivers also are using the street to get through to Topeka Boulevard and Seaman Middle School.

Students pre-k through 10th grade returned to classes Thursday in USD 345. Many parents and young drivers encountered long lines of vehicles and stop-and-go traffic in the before and after school hours.

Some drivers called the situation a "pain," while others tried to focus on the potential for the traffic situation to be improved once construction work finishes in November.

The NW 46th St. project also involved building a roundabout at the Topeka Blvd. intersection. That part of the project had traffic detouring at the end of the school year until the first roundabout opened in July.

The school district also has several school building projects going on. Work on Elmont, North Fairview and West Indianola elementary schools continues as kids head back. Construction of a new Seaman Middle School also is underway.

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